The Wiseman Family Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly available
• Income: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Scotland (with UK-wide flexibility)
• Charity Number: SC044388

Contact Details

Address: c/o Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP, 1 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 1RW

Email: [email protected]

Phone: Not publicly available

Website: Not available

Overview

The Wiseman Family Charitable Fund was established on 1 November 2013 as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Connected to the Wiseman family who founded Robert Wiseman Dairies (sold to Müller in 2012 for £279.5 million), the fund operates as a grant-giving foundation. The charity provides financial and other support to charities, individuals, and organisations, with trustees exercising full discretion across all charitable purposes. While focused primarily on Scotland, the fund is not limited to Scottish activities. The family has demonstrated consistent philanthropic commitment, particularly in supporting Scottish agricultural communities and mental health initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The fund does not operate named grant programmes but provides flexible grant-making across all charitable purposes. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis by email or post.

Priority Areas

The fund's charitable purposes are intentionally broad, encompassing:

• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Advancement of education
• Advancement of religion
• Advancement of health
• Agricultural community support - demonstrated through significant support for RSABI (Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution)
• Mental health initiatives - particularly within farming communities

The fund is described as supporting “all manner of charitable activities” with no specific preference for any particular charitable purpose, giving trustees full discretion.

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified, though applications are primarily accepted from registered charities.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: Names will be published on the Scottish Charity Register from 9 March 2026. Current trustee information is not yet publicly available.

Family Connection: The fund is connected to the Wiseman family, including Alan Wiseman, who has been actively involved in the family's philanthropic activities. Alan Wiseman has made public statements supporting the fund's grants, particularly those supporting agricultural mental health. Alan Wiseman was appointed as honorary vice-president of RSABI in February 2026.

Legal Representation: Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP serves as the registered office and provides administrative support.

Quote from Alan Wiseman (regarding a grant to RSABI): "Duncan's efforts in support of RSABI and to raise awareness of mental health in Scottish farming have been quite exceptional."

How to Apply to The Wiseman Family Charitable Fund

How to Apply

• Applications can be made at any time via email or post
• Contact: [email protected]
• Address: c/o Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP, 1 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 1RW
• Applications are primarily accepted from registered charities
• The charity register indicates support may also be available for individuals

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. The fund operates on a rolling basis without fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified.

Application Success Factors

Based on publicly available information about the fund's grant-making:

Recent Funded Projects:

• RSABI Support: The fund doubled Duncan Maclellan's fundraising total from £8,800 to £20,000 for RSABI after he completed a 370-mile walking challenge from John O'Groats to Gretna Green to raise awareness of mental health in Scottish farming
• RSABI Support: The fund contributed £15,000 to Rachel Biggar's fundraising for RSABI, taking her total to over £30,000 after reading about her achievement in farming press

Organisational Values:

• Recognition of “determination and resilience” in charitable efforts
• Support for causes that raise awareness of important issues
• Long-term commitment to causes (RSABI noted the family has “consistently supported the work of the charity over many years”)
• Interest in matching or amplifying existing fundraising efforts

Application Approach:

• The fund appears responsive to compelling stories in media and community news
• Demonstrates interest in mental health and wellbeing, particularly in agricultural communities
• Values initiatives that combine practical support with awareness-raising
• Supports Scottish charities but is not limited to Scotland
• Trustees exercise full discretion, suggesting flexibility in grant-making

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Broad discretion: Trustees have full flexibility to support any charitable purpose, making this a relatively open funder compared to more restricted trusts
• Scottish focus with flexibility: While focused on Scotland, the fund explicitly states it will not limit itself to Scottish activities
• Agricultural/rural connection: Demonstrated commitment to agricultural communities and rural issues, particularly mental health
• Matching and amplification: Track record of topping up or matching existing fundraising efforts rather than only providing standalone grants
• Long-term relationships: Values sustained relationships with grantees (RSABI described as consistently supported over many years)
• Rolling applications: No deadline pressure - applications accepted at any time
• Professional administration: Applications handled through established legal firm, suggesting professional grant-making process

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Ross Russell Trust
• Leach Family Charitable Trust
• Miss Mary Dunlop Murdoch Andrew Charitable Trust
• Cruden Foundation Ltd
• The David And Ruth Behrend Fund
• Sir John And Lady Heathcoat Amory's Charitable Trust
• Lara Atkin Charitable Foundation
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• The Aberbrothock Skea Trust
• James T Howat Charitable Trust

References

• Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) - Charity Details for SC044388. https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC044388
• Funding Scotland - The Wiseman Family Charitable Fund profile. https://funding.scot/funders/001b000002kczQ7AAI/the-wiseman-family-charitable-fund
• The Scottish Farmer - “Duncan raises £20k for RSABI with 370-mile walk for mental health”. https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/25373781.duncan-raises-20k-rsabi-370-mile-walk-mental-health/
• Dumfries and Galloway World - "Rachel's fundraiser tops £30,000 thanks to Wiseman top-up." https://www.dgwgo.com/community-focus/rachels-fundraiser-tops-30000-thanks-to-wiseman-top-up/
• Farmers Guide - "'Farming Forrest Gump' raises £20k during 370-mile challenge." https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/mental-health/farming-forrest-gump-raises-20k-during-370-mile-challenge/
• Companies House - The Wiseman Family Charitable Fund overview (CS001290). https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/CS001290
• Grampian Online - “Turriff farm worker Duncan Maclellan raises £20k for RSABI by completing trio of challenges.” https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/scottish-farming-s-forrest-gump-raises-20k-for-charity-by-389539/
• The Scottish Farmer - “Alan Wiseman becomes honorary vice president of RSABI.” https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/25849316.alan-wiseman-becomes-honorary-vice-president-rsabi/
• The Dairy Site - “Wiseman Dairies to Sell for £279.5 Million.” https://www.thedairysite.com/news/37082/wiseman-dairies-to-sell-for-279-5-million
• OSCR - “More information to appear on the Scottish Charity Register from 9 March 2026.” https://www.oscr.org.uk/news/more-information-to-appear-on-the-scottish-charity-register-from-9-march-2026/